Study Desk

But God, who encourages the downhearted, encouraged us by the arrival of Titus.

We were encouraged not only by his arrival, but also by the encouragement you gave him, as he reported to us your longing, your mourning, your deep concern for me, so that I rejoiced more than ever.

Now I rejoice, not because you were made sad, but because you were made sad to the point of repentance. For you were made sad as God intended, so that you were not harmed in any way by us.

For sadness as intended by God produces a repentance that leads to salvation, leaving no regret, but worldly sadness brings about death.

So then, even though I wrote to you, it was not on account of the one who did wrong, or on account of the one who was wronged, but to reveal to you your eagerness on our behalf before God.

For if I have boasted to him about anything concerning you, I have not been embarrassed by you, but just as everything we said to you was true, so our boasting to Titus about you has proved true as well.

And they did this not just as we had hoped, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and to us by the will of God.

But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, and in all eagerness and in the love from us that is in you—make sure that you excel in this act of kindness too.

I am not saying this as a command, but I am testing the genuineness of your love by comparison with the eagerness of others.

For I do not say this so there would be relief for others and suffering for you, but as a matter of equality.

But thanks be to God who put in the heart of Titus the same devotion I have for you,

because he not only accepted our request, but since he was very eager, he is coming to you of his own accord.

For we are concerned about what is right not only before the Lord but also before men.

And we are sending with them our brother whom we have tested many times and found eager in many matters, but who now is much more eager than ever because of the great confidence he has in you.

But I am sending these brothers so that our boasting about you may not be empty in this case, so that you may be ready just as I kept telling them.

because the service of this ministry is not only providing for the needs of the saints but is also overflowing with many thanks to God.

Now I, Paul, appeal to you personally by the meekness and gentleness of Christ (I who am meek when present among you, but am full of courage toward you when away!)—

for the weapons of our warfare are not human weapons, but are made powerful by God for tearing down strongholds. We tear down arguments

because some say, "His letters are weighty and forceful, but his physical presence is weak and his speech is of no account."

For we would not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who recommend themselves. But when they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are without understanding.